Knowing full well he won't read this, mainly because he doesn't like me, it would be safe to refer to one of the best human beings
I know, James Tunnicliffe aka Jim the Medic. I first met him on the
Buchan Alpha Floating Production Oil Rig in the North Sea as he burst
into my office and announced "I'm Surgeon Commander Pickle Royal Navy
Retired, you can call me 'Branston'! That was simply enough for me and
it has been my pleasure to continue our friendship since my retirement.
Since meeting in year 2000 Jimmy Jimmy and I have embarked on many an
adventure with the next starting this very day, hence the early post. As
a lead up to what should be 2 great days in Cork, Republic of Ireland
here are some shots of a few of the things we have gotten up to in the
past.
In
2006 we embarked on a journey through the vast expanses of SOUTH AFRICA
and apart from standing at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic
Oceans we ate some fine food, drank excellent wine and met Peter Edw\ard
(Ginger) Baker, one of our all time heroes, drummer with CREAM, BLIND
FAITH, GRAHAM BOND ORGANISATION et al.
2007and THE GAMBIA was not only a great adventure but and eye opener.
also
during 2007we embarked on an adventure that was to cover the full
length of Japan, but faltered at the first hurdle. Having met at Fukuoka
we headed for the Southern Islands part of which was Okinawa. On
Yakashima Island we went completely 'native' (including Saki) but Jim's
sleeping habits were p*ss*ng me off to say the least. One too many
'slack hammocks' (getting up late) was enough, so I simply announced my
departure, picked up my back-pack and left him there standing in his
underpants (not a pretty sight). I finally made it to Waikanei the most
northerly town in that country but on our return to the rig he didn't
even mention it.
Leon,
France in 2006 was the Skinny Kids birthday present for my 60th, not
only that he also had 2 tickets to see my greatest living hero Robert
Plant in the towns Roman Amphitheatre the Theatres Antiques - what a
man!
A right 'brace' of hobos having just climbed the 'active' Vulcan Pacaya, Guatemala in 2004
a shower and more than enough beer was called for on that occasion.
Delhi,
India the springboard for The Golden Temple Amritsar, Corbet National
Park, Himalayan Foothills etc and much else but first we needed to take
care of the locals. We had met up with a couple of English girls and
during our walk through the city encountered a couple of ragamuffin
sisters. Collecting any items of plastic, their cloths were literally
falling off their back, so we agreed to do something about it. Directing
them to the nearest market we allowed them to choose dresses and shoes,
the ladies assisting them to get changed, and then sent them off home
(wherever that was) looking like Indian Princesses - now that makes you
feel good!
Then
there was Buenos Aires 2010 when coming to the end of a 100 day solo
visit to South America, coincidentally he and partner Liz were bound to
one of the most exciting cities on earth.
Up
until then I had been lodging in little more than $10 per night shacks,
including food, and enjoying every minute. Now it was to be 3 nights at
$150 each plus fine wine, tangoing, delicious beef and all else
Argentina has to offer - VIVA!
There
is so much more, but unarguably the most exciting of them all was
Mongolia 2001. Starting with 4.000Km across the Mountain Steppe, meeting
and living with nomadic tribesmen and living on 'self caught' fish and
beer, we reached Lake Kovsgol and beyond.
Returning
to the capital Ulaan Baatar needing a little rest we caught the train
to Saynshand in the heart of the Gobi Desert, much more Vodka, more
miles and none of the planned rest, it was a blessing to get back to the
rig.
Here's hoping we live to tell the tale!
